NBA Free Agency: Nuggets' Bruce Brown to Meet With Luka Doncic's Mavs

The Mavs are among various teams that Bruce Brown plans to meet with when he enters free agency after helping the Nuggets win the NBA title.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks continue to be among teams linked to Bruce Brown ahead of his impending free agency. After a 38-44 finish to their 2022-23 campaign, the Mavs must continue to add talent around Luka Doncic and impending free agent Kyrie Irving. 

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Brown intends to meet with several teams in free agency after free agency opens on June 30, with the Mavs being among the teams that will meet with him. 

"Bruce Brown intends to meet with the Mavs soon after the opening of free agency," MacMahon wrote. "Brown is expected to have several suitors and has not ruled out a return to Denver despite the financial constraints. His market is $12.4M midlevel but Nuggets are limited to $7.8M."

The Mavs interest in Brown was first reported by Marc Stein, after the Mavs create a legitimate trajectory to have the full $12.4 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception. It was also mentioned that Dallas will pursue other "top wings" in free agency.

Brown is coming off a strong season with the Nuggets averaging 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 80 games. He proved to be an important contributor during Denver's NBA Finals run, averaging 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 20 playoff games.

The Mavs face the need to add more defensive versatility on the perimeter around Doncic and Irving, in addition to needing rim protection. Brown would bring a helpful option as a secondary playmaker on offense and an overall chess-piece on defense.

One team that has become increasingly linked to Brown ahead of free agency is the Los Angeles Lakers, who have a viable pathway to the full non-taxpayer midlevel exception. There will be plenty of other interested suitors, including rebuilding teams that can exceed what the Lakers or Mavs can offer. 

The Mavs' top priority remains to re-sign Irving, who also plans to meet with several teams after free agency begins, including the Mavs, Phoenix Suns, and possibly the Houston Rockets. Irving is eligible to sign a five-year, $272.9 million contract to return to the Mavs, but can only sign a four-year deal elsewhere. 

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Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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